GREEN EVENTS & INNOVATIONS - THIS IS THE WEEK!

As the impact of climate change and the response of the festival industry in working sustainably becomes ever more important, the sixth edition of GREEN EVENTS & INNOVATIONS returns to the ILMC, at Royal Garden Hotel in Kensington, London on Thursday 6th March 2014.A Greener Festival, the Association of Independent Festivals (AIF) and Bucks New University are again presenting the UK’s leading conference on sustainability at events. GEI will demonstrate the latest solutions and technologies for practical event management and this year, there will be a specific focus on audience behavior and the psychology and sociology of collective action.Guest speakers include Chris Johnson (Shambala Festival), Clive Phillips (Greenbox Events), Carlijn Lindemulder (ID&T), Ben Challis (Glastonbury / AGF) and Teresa Moore (Bucks New Uni) alongside a keynote from Alan Watson Featherstone, Executive Director of Trees for Life - the award-winning charity working to restore the Caledonian Forest and its unique wildlife to the Scottish Highlands, and partner of the Festival Wood Initiative. Other topics that will be covered include reducing plastics at festivals, sustainability in merchandising and a focus on left behind campsite waste.“We are very happy to be joining the ILMC again this year for GEI. The speakers who are joining us are an inspiration and have effected great change and development in their fields. The conversation is always two way, and we’re look forward to realising the next steps for the industry to improve itself.” Claire O’Neill, AIF, A Greener Festival,Industry experts and festival organisers will debate the tough subject of disposable plastics produced at events. What is better - recyclables, biodegradables or reusables? Compelling evidence will be presented by Chrisof Huber (Yourope, Open Air St Gallen)  and Melinda Watson from the Raw Foundation who can offer some innovative answers.

Alan Watson Featherstone	Claire O'Neill	Holger Jan Schmidt
Teresa Moore	Martin Drake	Jacob Bilabel

Merchandise and the clothing industry will be under the microscope, as Martin Drake-Knight (Rapanui Clothing) dissects the supply chain and argue that sustainability and business don’t need to be compromises.Last summer harrowing images of “wasteland” campsites showed the scale of waste that can be produced by audiences. What causes us to continue to act in an unsustainable way despite knowing better? As well as a panel discussion between academics, festival organisers and psychologists, Dr Guy Champniss will present a focus on behavioral change and how this can move us towards a sustainable lifestyle.There will also be break-out sessions exploring the ‘Love Your Tent’ exclusive Audience Survey findings and the European Tent Initiative, alongside A Greener Festival Workshop for Assessors.Tickets for the Conference including lunch and a packed day of panels, keynotes and workshops are £80, with a discount rate of £50 available for AIF Members, Yourope Members, ILMC delegates and students.Find out more and book ticket here http://gei2014.eventbrite.co.ukThe ILMC (International Live Music Conference) is the  leading annual gathering of professionals involved in the global touring, festival and live entertainment industries and runs from the 7th - 9th March. It is close to selling out - but there are a last few delegate spaces available: This year the ILMC has new workshop sessions, expanded networking areas, more agenda topics than ever, and a focus on artist development and the future of the business, including new technology. More on the ILMC website here.Green Events & Innovations is supported by ID&C,  ILMC, Eventbrite and Deeleys